Kanchanaburi Province

Introducing Kanchanaburi Province

This frontier province stretches from the fertile sugar-cane fields of the namesake provincial capital all the way to the sparsely inhabited western border with Myanmar. It is home to some of Thailand’s largest tracts of preserved land, gushing waterfalls in the rainy season and several declining populations of reclusive but celebrity animal species. Its mountains form a natural boundary with Myanmar, discouraging major population growth and preserving a wilder way of life. These mountains also provide a slightly cooler climate than Bangkok, especially in the even­ings. Most visitors check into Kanchanaburi, do a few days of organised activities and then rush on to Chiang Mai or to the south. But following the highway northwest to the outbound towns provides an immersion into nature and culture that the traveller grapevine claims only exists in Laos.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009